Case Thomas is always in control whether its on the basketball court, the lab where he works, or in his love life. He thinks he has everything all figured out. All that changes when his parents pass away during his last year of college and Case is thrown into fatherhood when he becomes temporary guardian to two adorable twin toddlers. Weeks later, exhausted and running out of time, Case must decide if he's ready to become a father to these children, or give them up and move on with what's left of his life. Then he meets Gabbie Vaulst.Gabbie is amazing with the kids, owns her own business, and has all the right curves in all the right places. She can tell Case is attracted to her, but does he really love her or is he just settling for a surrogate Mom who can wrangle his new kids? Knowing that she's falling in love with him, she chooses to push him away until his world straightens out. Can Case prove to Gabbie, and himself, that his feelings are real? Or is this sudden family too much for both of them to handle?The odds, as well as members of their past who've come out of the woodwork, are against them, but when kids are involved, all bets are off.

My Review: I was blown away by this book. Absolutely enthralled. My intent was to read the first page or two just to see if I'd like it, but I couldn't stop reading until I was finished. The blurb does a pretty good job summing it up, so I won't rehash it. The author gets right into the meat of the story by introducing the main characters right off the bat. In the very first scene, we can feel Case's frustration as he struggles to handle two rambunctious two-year-olds. Gabbie, a seasoned child-care professional, offers help and enrollment in her daycare center, and the story kicks off from there.

Case doesn't struggle with the decision to keep his family together as much as I suspected when I read the blurb. His apprehension comes more from his fear of failure rather than a fear of responsibility. He has a great sense of family, honor, and compassion. There is no doubt in the reader's mind that Case can handle the challenge of raising the children. Gabbie is also certain Case can handle his new responsibilities, but she recognizes he'll need help in order to do so. She gives him a hand-up without taking over, thus giving Case confidence in his own abilities.

The romance... oh, the romance! Case and Gabbie have an instant connection, though both are reluctant to jump headlong into a relationship. Their feelings for each other cannot be denied, but a complicated friendship, challenges at Case's job, family problems, and a blast from Gabbie's past are roadblocks on their way to happiness.

Here's what I love about this book... Gabbie and Case are two intelligent, strong, realistic characters I loved rooting for. In many romance novels, the obstacles keeping the hero and heroine apart seem contrived, but not in this book. There isn't a single plot point in this story I could pick apart and criticize. The kids are adorable, often providing comic relief when things get too heavy. This book is the perfect mix of romance, heartbreak, humor, and hope. Highly, highly recommended.